Hyndburn's Community-Owned Environmental Charity
PROSPECTS delivered an Autumn Themed Crafting Club at GrOwING WILD Community Alloment, Baxenden during the October half term.
Participants looked at Autumn tree and plant identification signs, made an autumnal bean stew and whittled some mushrooms from hazel and birch wood!
One participant gave the following feedback:
“It was a fantastic day. Everyone seemed to enjoy. My granddaughter and I certainly did. It was educational and good fun.”
Larch trees were planted in the new woodlands on Peel Park and the Coppice LNR by Lancashire County Council and Hyndburn Borough Council during the 1970s-90s. The tree is not a native British species as it was introduced 400 years ago for it’s fast-growing timber. The trees themselves are hybrids of two different species from mainland Europe and Asia, the European Larch (Larix decidua) and Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi).
Although they aren’t native, they are still an ecologically useful tree species. heir primary functions on the site were to reduce soil erosion on the slopes and to act as ‘nurse’ species for the oak trees that were also planted in the red and yellow areas shown on the map. The larches grow faster and so act as barriers which served to shelter the young, small, oak saplings. Now that the oak trees are big enough to support themselves, the larches surrounding them aren’t needed as much. The gaps left by the felled larches will leave room for the oak trees to grow larger and flourish. This is a positive management method known as ‘halo’ thinning.
To increase the presence of native, broad-leaved, tree species, there will be selective thinning of larches in two areas. This will start with the plantation of larches in the red area, before moving to the yellow area.
Both areas will be thinned over the course of 6 day-long sessions. Around 35 trees are expected to be removed from each area. This will cause little to no harm to wildlife as there will still be many larches left on-site and the subsequent growth of native oaks will improve the habitat value of the woodland.
Access to the rest of the site will still be available but visitors will not be allowed to use paths near the felling on working days. Signage and workers will be present to redirect visitors.
The thinning took place on the 21st and 28th October, and the 4th, 11th and 18th November 2022. There was a final session on the 25th November 2022.
The felled timber will go back into the site; the wood will be used for benches, leaky dams, and habitat boxes. Branches and smaller timber will be used to create brash bundles and habitat piles. Some tree-planting of smaller tree species like Holly and Hazel may take place to fill in any large gaps left by the felled larches.
If you would like to know more and/or get involved in conservation work this autumn and winter, then contact Robert at robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk.
Following the positive results of a consultation in June 2022, plans for a path from Arden Hall up to Pleck Meadow are now being finalized.
The path, indicated by the yellow route on the map, will have two entrances. One at Arden Hall and the other on Pinewood Drive. The rest of the path will follow the purple route which includes a bridge over Pleck Brook and will end at Pleck Meadow.
The purple route, “Option 2,” was preferred over the orange route, “Option 1,” in the consultation so the orange route will not be constructed.
Civil works are planned to start on the 24th October 2022 and will last for a few months.
As a result, access to the site from Arden Hall will be more limited till the works are over. Signage will be in place to redirect visitors. Please keep your dog on a lead near the affected areas. The entrances at Avenue Parade and Peel Park Avenue will be unaffected.
The construction will cause little to no disturbance to local wildlife. The path will increase accessibility to Peel Park and the Coppice LNR and will also benefit future conservation activities such as scything courses, survey training and species transects.
If you’d like to find out more or get involved in future conservation activities, then contact robert.gabryszak@prospectsfoundation.org.uk
PROSPECTS and our friends at Woody Hyndburn CIC will be undertaking Ash tree felling works over the winter months.
Ash Dieback is a particular problem in the borough, many trees are affected and can become dangerous as the disease progresses and the trees become weaker.
As part of PROSPECTS management strategy across the Hyndburn’s Woodlands sites staff and Volunteers will be felling affected trees to ensure the safety of those who enjoy the woods. As always the top priority of Lancashire County Council is the safety of the public with preventative felling appearing to be the most effective means of addressing the issue.
Ash Dieback surveys have been undertaken to identify and mark the trees which will be felled. The resultant timber and brash will be processed on site to increase the percentage of dead wood on site, providing habitat for invertebrates, fungi and everything else! The Survey maps can be found on the individual woodland sites.
As part of PROSPECTS on going environmental education efforts, John Haddon from Lancashire Wildlife Trust delivered a day of training for PROSPECTS staff and volunteers outlining the Trust’s strategy for dealing with the issue.
Natural regeneration of native tree species will take priority over planting, with Ash being effective at self seeding with Ash Dieback resistant individuals hopefully regenerating those woodlands which will be affected.
More information about Ash Dieback can be found on the following websites:
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/strategies-policies-plans/environmental/ash-die-back/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/managing-ash-dieback-in-england
Woodland Volunteers have been busy throughout the Summer months working across the 8 Lancashire County Council woodland sites, which PROSPECTS manages on the Council’s behalf.
The majority of the work has been Balsam pulling, but there has also been non-native tree thinning, litter picking and meadow management using scythes!
As the nights draw in and the days get colder and wet the Woodland Volunteers will be undertaking winter task in the woods. This will include felling Ash Dieback effected trees, cutting back greenery encroaching on pathways, litter picking, coppicing and hedge laying.
Hyndburn’s Woodlands will also be delivering an Introduction to Green Woodwork day, spoon carving day and working with the Green Team to deliver seasonal tree identification walks.
Check our online events page or sign up to our emailing list to receive updates and a monthly ‘What’s On’ e-Newsletter.
The Rewilding project has been busy growing vegetable, fruit and herbs across the four community sites; Growing Wild Community Allotment, Miller Fold Allotment 6a, Oakhill Park Incredible Edible Garden and Woodnook Community Garden.
Produce was used for Crafting Club 2022 with vegetables from the site being used to make vegetarian and gluten free campfire cooked dishes!
Apples were used for fruit juice pressing and soft fruit including raspberries, blackberries and currants being used to make jam and fruit leather!
Some of the produce has been frozen with a Jam and Chutney making activity to be arranged for the cold winter months, so keeping checking the Events page for more details or sign up to the emailing list to receive updates.
Crafting Club Summer 2022 was a great success with over 30 participants taking part in a variety of bushcraft themed activities!
Activities included; Campfire Cooking, whittling, natural cordage, natural dyes, fruit juice pressing, wild food and much more!
PROSPECTS is forever grateful to the Ashden Trust for the funding, which made Crafting Club Summer 2022 happen. For more information about the Ashden Trust click HERE
Look out for further bushcraft activities in the future, below is feedback from some of the participants!
Fantastic experience for all the family. Thank you so much for the opportunity to take part in such a great community session.
The whole month was amazing and so well organised. The children and myself learnt about tree ID, outdoor cooking, whittling, natural dying and much much more. They also became more confident with foraging too. We didn’t want it to end.
I would like to thank Gareth and his team, for making my son and me, feel so welcome at the Crafting club. It was full of positive energy and so much fun; making it the perfect environment to learn something new.
Thanks for running these sessions, we always learn something new.
Really well organised events with knowledgeable, patient, helpful people. Thank you
The sessions was very good. My son was engaged and was learning whilst having fun.
This and other prospects courses are extremely well run. We have been to a few and find them engaging and the staff are inviting, interesting and make it a joy to be there. This activity in particular helped whole families become involved and had a variety of activities to get stuck into so that everyone had something that they were interested in.
Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), it originates from the western and central Himalayas and was first brought over to the UK in 1839 as an ornamental plant to decorate Victorian gardens
Shortly after it quickly spread to a wide range of habitats, particularly along riverbanks and in damp woodlands (Tanner and Gange., 2020).
Balsam flowers from June to October, and its seeds are set from August to October. Each plant is able to produce up to 2500 seeds which sit inside explosive seed pods and, when disturbed, are capable of distributing the seeds up to 7 metres away! (Sonal et al., 2016).
It grows in dense monocultures (a large amount of a singular plant, like crops on a farm) which outcompete native vegetation leading to a decline in native plant and insect populations (Pollard et al., 2019)
As it’s an annual plant, once it dies back in autumn this leads to a bare river bank (which would normally be covered with native plants) and so there are no roots which bind the soil together during heavy rain, this leads to soil erosion.
While Balsam is a good source of pollen for pollinators, studies show it can alter the foraging preferences in bee species which results in bees focusing their attention on Balsam and neglecting native species (Lopezaraiza et al., 2008).
Balsam is one of the easiest INNS to remove, its shallow roots and noticeable characteristics make it easy to find and pull up. ‘Balsam bashing’ groups tend to organise around areas which are highly infested.
To remove Balsam:
Balsam pulling season is over now but look out for Balsam pulling sessions next year between April – June!
Thanks to a generous donation by the Arnold Clarke Community Fund, PROSPECTS has purchased apple juicing equipment!
https://www.arnoldclark.com/community-fund
Our Rewilding Officer Gareth, will be organising several juice pressing activities from late August onwards. Check our Events Calendar to see when and where the sessions will be held – https://prospectsfoundation.org.uk/events/
We ask that participants bring a clean plastic bottle to store their juice.
If you have excess apples, which you would wish to donate, please contact Gareth – gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk / 01254 230348 to arrange for drop off at our office or collection by our staff.
(Please only donate ripe fruit which is in a suitable condition for human consumption)
WOODY CIC are delivery tree planting across the borough with sessions on Saturdays until 2nd April!
To get involved contact Gareth – gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk to find out how to get involved!
St. Oswalds Primary and Nursery school have been working closely with the Outdoor Learning Officer to design an outdoor learning area on their school grounds. Thanks to a donation of trees from Carbon Footprint Ltd., the eco-council were able to break earth in November and begin planting the trees that will be the heart of the outdoor classroom.
Outdoor Learning Officer Danielle led a Winter Bird Walk around Peel Park and The Coppice. We saw jays, robins, blackbirds, great tits, magpies, blue tits, long-tailed tits and greenfinches. During the walk we discussed climate change and how changing weather patterns are affecting trees and migrating birds.
On 17th November, Outdoor Learning Officer Danielle delivered an AQA in Biodiversity, Air Quality and Horticulture. The session took place at The Prospects Foundation’s Environment Centre on Broadway, Accrington. Everyone who attended got a free spider plant and aloe vera to take home with them. If you’d like to see what future AQAs we are delivering, check our Events page here
We’ve made the decision to extend the application deadline for our new Head Ranger post to Monday 27th September to tie in with our deadline for the Local Nature Reserve Office Post.
The deadline for both jobs is now 5.00pm on Monday 27th September.
Interviews for both post will now take place on Thursday 7th October in Accrington.
Click HERE to visit the Jobs page where you can find out more about both posts and also the paperwork you’ll need to subvmit an application.
Our new annual report is now available and is hot off the press! Despite Covid, PROSPECTS had a very positive year, with new funding streams, new projects and new staff!
Take a look at our 2020/21 Annual Report to see what we’ve been up to – it might tempt you to get involved!
Hard copies are also available from our office on Broadway in Accrington.
